Surgery ‘pioneer’ and patient’s ‘champion’ Neligan dies

HE WAS a champion of patients’ rights, a pioneer of surgery and a leading light in the fight against health cuts.

These were some of the tributes paid to eminent surgeon, Dr Maurice Neligan, who passed away at his family home on Thursday night.

Dr Neligan carried out the first open-heart surgery in Ireland for congenital problems in 1974.